17 March 2021 – Global property consultancy Knight Frank has brought the stunning Yarnton Manor to the market – a 29 acre Oxfordshire estate with history that dates back to Norman times.

The 29.5 acre estate – which includes a Grade II*  Jacobean manor house,  listed gardens and a substantial portfolio of ancillary houses and cottages – is on the market with Knight Frank, and is being offered at a guide price of £9 million.

The origins of Yarnton Manor go back to Norman times. From 1580 to 1712 it belonged to the Spencer family and most notably Sir Thomas Spencer – a politician who was elected as MP for Woodstock in 1660. Sir Thomas transformed the property into a splendid mansion in the Jacobean style, converting it into one of the largest houses in the country at the time. He even had a secret room installed above the main doorway in which to hide in case of attack.

During the English Civil War during the 17th Century, the manor was used as a military hospital for the King's Royalist troops.

Emma Cleugh, Head of the Institutional, Charities & Education team at global property consultancy Knight Frank, said: “With some sympathetic updating, this property could work extremely well as a beautiful family home. With its large reception and dining rooms, and the ample of amount of guest accommodation both at the manor and within the portfolio of cottages and houses, it would be the ideal property for those who have a business venture in mind – we have had a variety of different ideas for alternative uses come forward from potential purchasers already. “

Cleugh added: “As one would expect from a beautiful Grade II* listed manor house, the property has retained many of its distinctive internal and external period features.”

Architectural detailing includes shaped gables with obelisk finials, carved crest, fluted pilasters and large mullioned windows. Internally, details include fabulous carved and moulded stone and timber fireplaces and overmantels, original flagstone floors, elaborately panelled rooms, intricate carved timber doors, and a substantial Jacobean-style carved timber staircase.

The listed gardens and grounds of Yarnton Manor include an elegant walled garden, terraces, walkways, an orchard, paddocks and woodland.

In addition to the main manor house and its fabulous grounds, the estate also boasts a number of additional outbuildings. This includes a barn – formerly used as a library; an extensive Grade II listed vicarage dating back to the 18th Century; a purpose built building used for student accommodation; six detached cottages; and Manor Farm – a courtyard of traditional stone barns recently converted into one 3-bedroom and six 2-bedroom apartment-style cottages.

Situated in the attractive village of Yarnton, the manor is located midway between the university town of Oxford and Woodstock (famous for Blenheim Palace). London is within easy reach via the M40 or regular train services from Oxford Parkway Station.

The house has been in commercial use since the 1960s as an educational facility. The property has tremendous potential for a range of alternative uses – either to be acquired and converted for private residential use, utilised as a venue for events or conferences, or adapted for quasi-commercial uses combined with live/work.

Emma Cleugh of Knight Frank commented: “We expect this property to attract interest from a wide range of buyers – given its excellent location, unique profile and the fact that it has a large amount of ancillary accommodation, which could allow continued uses or equally be converted for alternative uses, subject to the necessary consents.”

ENDS

Property listing: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/yarnton-manor-church-lane-yarnton-oxfordshire-ox5/HUB2198464  

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